inFamous: Second Son Preview

inFamous is one of the best new IPs of the current generation, in my honest opinion. The combination of fast-paced superhero-esque action and open-world exploration is highly enjoyable; running around the city with such awesome power just never gets old. In the upcoming sequel, which will launch on the PlayStation 4 in February, we’ll visit the city of Seattle and you know, I get this feeling that the Space Needle could be in imminent danger. New protagonist Delsin Rowe exists in a much more destructible environment, after all…

Speaking of Delsin, it’s interesting to note that his new power is derived from smoke, not electricity. In the first two entries, Cole MacGrath used electricity to fuel his lightning-driven attacks, and he’d drain the requisite electricity from street lights, rooftop fans, etc. Delsin tosses fireballs and to do so, he needs smoke. But the new effort doesn’t merely offer this cosmetic shift; the gameplay seems deeper and more versatile. We’ll get multiple powers this time around (they’re not just limited to fire), and Delsin will even be able to go stealthy when necessary. And he appears to have a bit more of an established personality as compared to Cole.

Another aspect of the new production will be choice. We’ve had to make a few choices in past inFamous adventures, but although some were critical, these opportunities didn’t come around often. The way Sucker Punch is describing Second Son, it seems we’ll have more chances to make significant choices with Delsin. This doesn’t mean it’ll adopt a wide array of branching storylines one might find in role-playing games, but I’m hoping to be faced with several tough decisions. And hopefully, those decisions will have a direct impact on the storyline. That being said, the focus should remain squarely on the gameplay.

And speaking of gameplay, the footage we’ve seen thus far does indeed highlight a much more destructible environment. Delsin can cause all sorts of property damage, which will undoubtedly prove helpful when caught in the midst of huge battles. His ability to speed forward or rocket into the air at a moment’s notice should also be pretty darn useful. By the way, one of the reasons this wonderfully detailed backdrop is so realistic is because Sucker Punch HQ is in Seattle. So, it was just a matter of heading out the door and doing the requisite research, which sounds like tons o’ fun. More than cars will go boom in the new inFamous!

For the most part, we should know what to expect when it comes to the gameplay. It will likely control very much like past installments, and I’m betting we’ll see a similar skill tree as well. As for the decision to go the good or evil route, that should return as well. However, one should remember that Sucker Punch is attempting to tell a slightly more serious story this time around. The developer has said that the protagonist essentially represents freedom, and the question at the core of the experience is: “What would happen if, with Big Brother watching everything and clamping down, a few humans suddenly developed superpowers?”

Me, I want to experiment with this concept of grabbing other super-humans – and there should be quite a few in the game, besides Delsin – and somehow absorbing their abilities. Will we have to hunt them down and take those skills? Or is it like a trade? Either way, it makes character progression feel more dynamic. And in the end, when you’re dashing about, leveling entire buildings and laying waste to anything in your path, you’ll probably have a smile on your face. inFamous excels at that— making you grin. And when Second Son drops early next year, I’ve no doubt it’ll be a must-play for all new PS4 owners. Well, I'm about 94.2% sure.

I think you mean Tomb Raider Legends, World. That was a 'cross-gen' title (one I seemed to like too much and I dont know why). TR Underworld had the tech of a next-gen title but was horribly executed.Last edited by Temjin001 on 9/11/2013 12:41:51 AM

Agreed with World (and Sensei Temjin). Though I leave some room for enjoyment for games that are suped-up last gen types. I believe a personal favorite of World's was Dante's Inferno, yes? For me, the R&C:Future series, were mine for this gen. And then every now and then, a game comes out from current gen, that is so mind-blowing, it could've been next gen, and the mind would've still been blown away. For me, last gen, that included Shadows of the Colossus, and Ninja Gaiden, both of which happened to get HD remakes. I haven't played anything so revolutionary from this gen like that, though, Naughty Dog's adventures at least seem to do that visually, audio-wise, and presentation-wise, if not through gameplay.

It's definitely an intangible factor, but something truly next-gen is something that sneaks up out of nowhere and makes you realise that this was impossible before. I'm anticipating it to come largely through the refinement of AI programming, rather than gameplay and that makes me a little sad. I don't know what's going to bring it, but we'll see.

Well whichever Tomb Raider was the last one before the new one ya know?

I did love Inferno but the gameplay was mainly small improvements to God of War. I think it was the Christian story, scope of Hell, and clever interpretation of the poem that really got me.

Back to inFamous Second Son though. I am not a dev but what would impress me would be an extra step in the controls. Instead of having 1 button that uses the smoke chain which you can mash, I'd have the L2 button work as a shift key that lets you swing the chain (with advanced physics) using the right stick. A little like Revengeance but more... intuitive.

You could also have him not be so sticky as Cole was while in the air but add a grip button under that same shift scheme to make traveling a more precise affair.

Maybe the shift scheme could also allow you to control your smoke projectiles through the air.

Gears of War and Assassin's Creed were the first games that I can recall that struck me as 'next-gen' during this current gen. For Gears it was largely the incredible level of detail and shader usage that just demolished everything else out there at the time. And for AC it was the vast and lively feeling cities with a character owning a complex ability set.

Oh yah, Oblivion was one too. No way that could've happened on PS2. Heck no.Last edited by Temjin001 on 9/11/2013 10:49:17 AM

Man, I don't care about the reception that iF:SS gets, I'm picking that up when I get a PS4. Fully agree that inFamous was one of the best new IPs of this generation. I am kind of hoping that Sucker Punch will move on afterwards, taking what they've learnt through the development of iF and grafting it on to new ideas, much as ND did with TLoU.

This is the game that's most going to test my resolution of not picking up a PS4 of those that have, thus far, been announced.

such, such, such a shame this is not a launch title!its really the only big popular wide branching game that WWS has announced so far.KZ, knack, DC, all meh games pretty much.all have their audience, but this is really the only game that will cater to a much wider audience and the only title i can really see being called a system seller.plus every new system needs a action game, thats just a prerequisite to a new system!xbox one has two for launch, ryse and dead rising 3.such a disappointment will have to wait 4+ months for ps4s first one to show.

only thing im really worried about with second son is exactly what ruined infamous 2.power.the original made you feel like such a f*cking BADA$$!the sequel starts stripping you of all your powers, and takes FOR FREAKING EVER for you to gain them back!and when you do gain them back, slowly, one by one, they feel so much weaker than they originally did!infamous throw a grenade between 3 enemies they all go flying and die.infamous 2 throw a grenade between 3 enemies and 2 go flying and 2 die, the others fine.why?your powers just felt so insignificant, your a superhero your suppose to feel like your swatting flies.the original did that so perfectly, the sequel not so much.so i really hope they get that balance of power right in second son, your a conduit, a BADA$$!so make us feel like a BADA$$, not like im throwing firecrackers instead of fully blown explosives!

This is the game I am waiting to buy the PS4 for. I will get some of the launch titles then as well but this game is the one I am looking forward to playing first. Also hoping most all of the launch bugs will be out of the system by then.